Connection is Medicine: The Social Impact of Your Living Choice
At Bruceville Point, you have the chance to connect daily, for celebrations and conversations big and small.
You’ve probably heard the phrase that food is medicine. Or perhaps its counterpart, exercise is medicine. While both of these statements are true, even more significant to health and longevity are one’s social connections. Connection is medicine might be the most important of these phrases.
If you’re weighing whether to stay in your home or consider a move to senior living, it’s essential to look beyond physical needs. In Part I of our series, we explored the physical aspects of this decision. Here, we’ll focus on the social impact—an often overlooked but critical factor in healthy aging.
The Power of Social Connection
Research shows that having a robust social life is directly correlated with longevity. As Amit A. Shah, M.D., a geriatrician, internist, and palliative care specialist at Mayo Clinic, notes, “It’s the quality, duration, and nature of your relationships that seem to matter most (for healthy aging).”
Yet, maintaining meaningful connections has become more challenging. Our culture has shifted—kids don’t gather in the neighborhood to play, and spontaneous encounters are rare. For older adults, social circles can shrink further due to the death of friends and family, people moving away, mobility limitations, or the decision to stop or limit driving.
Join a friendly game of pool, or maybe play a game of Hearts—the options are limited only by your imagination.
Are Transactions Replacing Your Interactions?
“Any of us can fill the hours with Netflix. And we do! But that doesn’t do anything for us,” Eric Hostetter, Bruceville Point’s Executive Director, noted. “It doesn’t lift us up. It doesn’t broaden our horizons. It doesn’t give us a different perspective on anything.”
Emily Beckwith, Harbor Memory Care’s Director, reminds people that answering the door for your delivery or having kids stop by to drop off groceries are transactions, not true interactions.
When considering a move, Emily instructs people to think about their interactions. Ask yourself: Are you experiencing enough meaningful interactions? Is your world expanding or shrinking? “Moving to senior living should make your world larger,” Emily said.
Joining a fitness class and moving as one makes everyone feel a sense of connection.
Senior Living: Designed for Connection
Senior Living communities, like Bruceville Point, are intentionally designed to foster social relationships. Residents can choose when and how to connect—join a card game, meet friends for lunch, or enjoy a quiet dinner in their apartment. The key difference? The opportunity for connection is always available, on your terms.
Eric encourages residents to reflect on what has brought them joy throughout their lives. For most, it’s the simple, shared moments—dinners with family, coffee breaks with colleagues, and friendships. Those interactions and relationships don’t have to end; in fact, they can flourish in a supportive, socially vibrant community. “You can make some more stories,” Eric reminds people.
Sharing a meal with others is one of the key indicators of subjective well-being, according to a recent study.
Self-Assessment: The Quality of Your Connections
Take a moment to reflect on your own social connections. Are you able to maintain relationships to your satisfaction in your current home? Use the simple chart below to evaluate.
| Social Connections | Frequency of Interactions | Quality (1-5) | Satisfying? (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spending time with friends | |||
| Spending time with family | |||
| Attending religious services | |||
| Going shopping | |||
| Attending cultural events | |||
| Participating in favorite hobbies | |||
| Artistic pursuits | |||
| Life-long learning | |||
| Volunteering | |||
| Spending time with children | |||
| Spending time with pets/animals | |||
| Spending time outdoors | |||
| Walking | |||
| Swimming/Fitness |
Next month, in our final Stay or Go article, we’ll look at the financial implications of the decision.
Our counselors are always available to discuss the decision to age-in-place or move to senior living.
